Fairly Ransom Will Try to Atone in 'Obispo

Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) winner Fairly Ransom, unplaced as the favorite in the San Marcos Handicap (gr. IIT) in his last start, will get a chance to redeem himself in the Feb. 16 San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita, Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally said.

The San Luis Obispo is a 1 ½-mile turf event that carries a purse of $200,000.

Under jockey Alex Solis, the 4-year-old gray son of Red Ransom--Fairly Grey, by Linamix worked 1:02 4/5 around the "dogs" over a firm turf course on Thursday.

"I was disappointed in his last race and I don't know what happened," McAnally said. "We're hoping the added distance will help him and he won't have to rush at all. He likes to take his time. He won a race in Europe as a 2-year-old at a mile and three-eighths."

Sweet Return, Fairly Ransom's stablemate and the winner of the San Marcos last out as well as the Hollywood Derby (gr. I) late last year, will be given a rest.

"We're going to give him a little time before he runs again," McAnally said, noting the 4-year-old chestnut will remain in training.

Also expected for the San Luis Obispo is Gary Tanaka's Irish-bred Researched, who worked six furlongs in 1:14 3/5 with jockey Gary Stevens aboard also over the turf Thursday. The Ben Cecil trainee hasn't started since finishing a troubled fifth in Carleton F. Burke Handicap (gr. IIIT) on Oct. 24 but was previously a stakes winner in England.

"We're good to go at the moment," Cecil said. "He'll have one more work, an easy five-eighths, next Wednesday.

"I really like this horse. He's definitely a bright spot in the barn."

Cecil said no rider has committed to the bay son of Theatrical and Ostora (by Blushing Groom).

Others considered possible for the San Luis Obispo are Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT) hero Devious Boy, Burke runner-up and German group III winner Labirinto, Meteor Storm and Continental Red.